Gynecologic instrusient



Aug. 3, 1948. E. H. EDWARDS GYNECOLOGIO INSTRUMENT Original Filed April 25; 1959 FIG. 2

I FIGJ INVENTOR 'fZL/SJi fnwmens 34 79w W 1 ATTORNEY.

. Fla-5' Reiasued Aug. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES TENT oFFIcE Original No. 2,256,602, dated September 23, 1941,

Serial No. 269,859, April 25, 1939. Application for reissue December 17, 1947, Serial No.

Claims. (01. 12s 127) My invention relates to that class of devices which are designed to facilitate the correct positioning of the diaphragm in the vaginal canal.

My invention has for its principal object to provide a device having atrip feature, which will always release the diaphragm when it is in proper position. Experience has shown, that the diaphragm has to hold on the instrument with sufficient tension, in order for it to be placed in the correct position. As these diaphragms are of various sizes, which correspond to the user the instrument is usually provided with a plurality of hooks intended to receive the edge or rim of the diaphragm. It frequently occurs that the tension is so great that when it is attempted to release the diaphragm from the instrument, that before the diaphragm is released it will have been turned vertically and thus entirely defeat the purpose for which it is intended.

A further object of my invention is to provide an instrument which will put enough tension on the diaphragm to facilitate its introduction in the proper position, but will always release the diaphragm and leave it in the correct position.

A further object is to construct an instrument without any removable parts, so that no part can be mlslaid or lost.

A further object is to gauge the teeth to fit all of the usual sizes of the diaphragm.

A further object is to so curve the instrument that it will facilitate proper introduction of the diaphragm into the required position.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more fully comprehended by having reference to the accompanying drawing, which is hereunto annexed and is a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a standard diaphragm constructed for this purpose;

Fig. 2 is an anatomical cross section showing the diaphragm in place in the vaginal canal, the diaphragm being shown in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the instrument with the diaphragm in place and under tension;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the manner in which my improved instrument releases the diaphragm, the diaphragm being released;

Fig, 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the side head.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire specification.

As shown in the drawing the instrument consists of a horizontal portion 1, terminating in a hook 2, the opposite end 3'01" the horizontal portionis arcuate in form. The horizontal portion I and a portion of the arcuate part 3 is provided with a plurality of serrations to assist the user in holding the instrument in correct position.

At the top of the are I provide a plurality of hooks -3' which are placed at spaced intervals for the correct position to receive the var-- ious sizes of standard diaphragms. There are numerals formed on the under side of the instrument to indicate the size of the diaphragm for the corresponding hook.

The end 4 of the arcuate portion 3 is ,provided with a swivel head 5. This head is provided with a groove 6, preferably arcuate in shape, to conform to the curvature of the rim 1, of the diaphragm 8. As shown the head 5 is provided with a reduced neck or stem 9 which telescopes into a central recess l0 formed in the end 4 of the arcuate portion 3 of the instrument. This reduced neck or stem 9, has a circumferential groove ll formed adjacent its end l2. A pin 13 is inserted adjacent the end 4 of the arcuate portion 3 of the instrument and is in register with the groove H. The result of this construction is that the head 5, is free to rotate and yet is held securely against longitudinal movement.

Practice has shown that when the head 5 is swiveled, as above described, that on the least rotation of the instrument the diaphragm will actually jump off of the hooks 3 and out of the groove 6 regardless of the tension which is put on it. This is true even if the user should make an error and stretch the diaphragm to the next hook, it will release every time upon the slightest movement of the instrument and release the diaphragm leaving it in the correct position. It will be noted that a hook 2 is provided to facilitate the Withdrawal of the diaphragm when it is desired to do so.

Due to its novel element of a swivel hand in combination with the body portion, the possibility of a premature release of the diaphragm therefrom is eliminated because tighter application is possible. This is accomplished by connecting the rim of the diaphragm to a higher notch than is possible with devices now on the market.

Were this tighter application made to present available devices and rotation of the body portion of the inserter effected, the entire arrangement would revolve and not release at all, to the great injury of the user.

While I have described in some detail, the construction of the swivel head, it should be under--- stood that this description is solely to illustrate a concrete embodiment of my invention. It may well be that other forms of construction for swiveling one part to the other may be found useful, and I do not desire to limit myself to the exact details, except as such limitations may appear in the-hereinafter appended r:la;ims.-

Having described nay-invention, what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A gynecologic instrument having a hook at aof hooks at the top of the arcuate portion, there one end, a plurality of hooks on the .bodywthereoft one end being swiveled to the other;"'meansto prevent longitudinal movement of' s'ai'dswiiveled portion but which permits its free rotation.

2. A gynecologic instrumentcomprisingwhorizontal portion having a hookat'bne endtaridan arcuate portion at the other, a plurality'ofhooks at the top of the arcuate portion, there being a central recess in the end of the arcuate portion,

a head having an arcuate groove therein, a reducedneck on said head hav-i-nga circumferential rgroove formed therein,-said neck fitting .said recess, a pin in said arcuate iportion register with said circumferential groove whereby said head is held against longitudinal movementtbut is freeto rotate.

A gynecologic instrumentcomprisingxa'horizontal portion having :arcuate portion, :a gpl-uralityof hooks "at the top ofthe arcuate por- .ebeing.a.. -central recess in the end of the arcuate "portiomahead having an arcuate groove therein,

mtreducedl-neck on said head having a circumferential groove formed therein, said neck fitting rsaidirecesaapinin' said arcuate portion in regi'istenwithisaid circumferential groove whereby 

